Thanks MEnthusiast and Andy!! Your responses confirmed almost every suspicion for and against that I have as regards the M5. As you can guess, I too am evaluating it as an enthusiast of handling who wants some other things too. If the M3 came as a 4 door sedan it would be even harder to go for the M5 but as it stands it is so evenly balanced for what I need that I resorted to asking for opinions to see if I had missed anything. Even my limited test drive in London seems to have given me an adequately correct impression of what I am in store for as regards the M5. Superbly appointed sport sedan unlike any other and almost equal to the M3 in handling. Steering was a bit more wanting I thought and was the one thing I was hoping to hear from you guys as being good on the M5. I was hoping that my impression was limited by the city driving in London. Well if any of you in the Philadelphia/south jersey area ready to give me a test drive let me know..
thanks all.
and KEEP the opinions coming
Quote:
Originally posted by MEnthusiast:
My experience is with the E36 M3 vs. the E39 M5. I traded in my E36 M3 and I think Andy hit the nail on the head with his explanation. I loved the extremely nimble sensation the M3 gave- the M5 doesnt have that. Its extremely nimble for a larger sedan that weighs 4000lbs. IMHO, the M5 gives you the best of both sports car and luxury sedan worlds. The E39 M3 really was a practical sports car, and I would expect the E46 M3 to continue with that- although from what I can see I think the "go cart" sensation the E36 M3 had is getting less priority in favor for more everything in the E46 M3.
So its been nearly 3/4 of a year since I made the switch- did I regret it? The first few days I really wasnt sure- really. I could appreciate the pros of the M5 but I missed the directness of the M3. Around turns I could sense the mass of the M5 much more than I ever did with the M3- and I didnt like that very much.
However, about 3 weeks into it I had adjusted to the M5 and had come to realize what an amazing job BMW has done- it gives great comfort while maintaining the edge and power of a serious sports car. I didnt even sense the mass of the car as I would zing around turns just like I was in the M3. I recently got the chance to drive a E36 M3- I still loved driving it, but I didnt miss having it. Im very happy with my choice. I also realized that the M5 stays almost as flat as the E36 M3 does! It does roll a little more, but certainly not in proportion to the added weight. The only thing I miss just a little bit is the direct link feeling of the M3s steering- the M5s is great- but thats one area that I think the old M3 definately has it over the M5. Hope this was helpful
ME
[This message has been edited by MEnthusiast (edited 19 January 2001).]
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